By Erica E. Phillips
Daily Journal Staff Writer
LANCASTER - Throughout the 16 years she spent litigating in private practice, Denise McLaughlin-Bennett said her poker face served her well. That included her first-ever criminal trial, which nobody thought she'd win.
It took place in Compton, and her client was accused of assault. When a particularly damaging piece of evidence was introduced, McLaughlin-Bennett did the only thing she could.